I started the Acts 29 Network application process back in March. The process includes completing a number of documents like a testimony & call narrative, an overview of my marriage & family life, my theological and pastoral positions, a planting strategy and timeline, and an essay written by Julie about my call, her rote in that, her thoughts, etc. Addtionally I took entrepreneurial and DISC assessments and got references from a supervisor (Joel VanderSchel, pastor at New Life Church), a friend (Chris Rhodenhizer, pastor at Image Church), and a disciple (someone who was part of the small group that I led in Virginia). It was a very thorough application process that I completed last Friday.

After completing all the materials, the next to-do is a phone interview with Tyler Powell, the Church Planting Strategist with the Acts 29 Network. I had my phone interview last night and it went pretty well, I think. I was pretty nervous before it mostly because of the unknown of what exactly he would ask, how I would respond, etc. Some things came up that are concerns as I go forward with the Acts 29 application process

1. Very low entrepreneurial skills as measured by the evaluation
2. A DISC “score” that would be inconsistent with the typical profile of a successful church planter. #1 and #2 combined “might” indicate that I’m more of a #2 than lead planter. This is one area that the Acts 29 Assessment should give me some clarity on.
3. The church polity (government) that I intend to follow differs from many in Acts 29 and I need to provide additional clarity about what I mean when I say “elder-led congregationalism”. For a good summary of a summary of what I intend, read P.J. Tibayan’s blog post
4. My timeline (18-24 months) is further out than is typical (12-18 months) for men going through assessment. I based my timeline on a couple of factors
   1. Re:Train goes through June and I will very busy with that.
   2. Being in a college town makes launching in the fall natural and fall 2010 seems unlikely
   3. Launching at the beginning of second semester may work in the south, but January in Michigan would be dicey

So, there are definitely some potential red flags, but none of them were a great surprise to me. What I have consistently said is that I desire the input of men who have gone through the church planting process who can let me know if they see this as what God is calling me to and equipping me for. To that end, Julie and I will be assessed at the November Acts 29 Boot Camp in Louisville and from there we hope and pray to have additional clarity about the call to plant churches in Ann Arbor and beyond.

I have also prayed for patience, wisdom, and insight from God as I go through all of this, that I would welcome correction and direction humbly and that I would not seek glory for myself through church planting, but that my chief aim would be to magnify the name of the Lord. If I can do that, worship the Lord and lift Him up, then I will be content however He uses me.